Wednesday, May 29
Seventh Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Fair
Alexandria News Briefs
“Flourishing After 55”
55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Flowers, Coins, and Tears: Veterans Honored at Arlington Cemetery
Volunteers collected and placed 140,000 flowers on graves.
The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation brought 140,000 flowers for its annual floral tribute at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
Arlington County Board Candidate Forum
Thursday, June 6, 2024 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. VHC Health 1701 N George Mason Drive Arlington, VA 22205
Guest House Celebrates 50 Years
It all began in 1975 with one woman’s dream to help women returning into society from prison who had committed nonviolent crimes. At the time there was no place for them to go and still today, Guest House is the only residential facility for these women in Northern Virginia.
County Manager Proposes $4.5 Billion 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan
Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz presented his proposed FY 2025–2034 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Arlington County Board on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The proposal outlines $4.5 billion in investments for stormwater management and flood mitigation, environmental resilience, parks, transportation, community infrastructure, and more over the next 10 years.
Man Arrested After Fatal Pedestrian Crash
Officers have arrested a man following a fatal pedestrian crash in Huntington.
Top It Off Grand Opening in Belle View
Top if Off Outlet will celebrate the grand opening of their new location at 1508 A Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307, on Wednesday, June 12, with special sales beginning at 4 p.m. and the ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. The ribbon cutting will be hosted by Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
Potomac Home Sales: March, 2024
In March, 2024, 33 Potomac homes sold between $2,925,000-$750,000.
Potomac Home Sales: March, 2024
Potomac Home Sales: April, 2024
In April, 2024, 48 Potomac homes sold between $5,688,000-$735,500.
Potomac Home Sales: April, 2024
Police Reform Recommendations Sit on a Shelf
Inaction by Supervisors compounded by FCPD stalling on life-saving measures.
Police reform
National Trails Day
County recognizes 10th anniversary of Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail
National Trails Day
Thursday, May 23
New Work Honoring 2024 Centennial of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 4pm at George Mason University Center for the Arts
Theater
National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil
National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil
Wednesday, May 22
“Flourishing After 55”
55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Help Restock Frost Middle School’s Pantry
News Briefs
Share Your Experiences With Extreme Heat
Alexandria News Briefs
DWI Suspected in Fatal Motorcycle Crash
Detectives from our Crash Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Groveton.
Focusing on the Future of Gaming
This week at the first meeting of the year for the Joint Subcommittee to study the feasibility of establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission, I was re-appointed to serve as the subcommittee's Vice Chair.
Homelessness Point-in-Time Count 2024
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee's regional point-in-time counts are a "limited and imperfect perspective."
Bridge 23 Reopens on the Mount Vernon Trail
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 19, the National Park Service (NPS) officially reopened Bridge 23 on the Mount Vernon Trail, located within the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve.
Pay Increase Goes from 6% to 3% for All FCPS Staff
Last-ditch attempt for 5% raises for teachers, support staff.
On Thursday, May 23, Mateo Dunne, the Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, launched an effort to amend the superintendent’s proposed FY 2025 Approved Budget.
Fatal Shooting in Fair Haven
Detectives continue to investigate a fatal shooting in Fair Haven that left one man dead.
Remembering Rocky
West Point ’59 classmates visit Versace Plaza in Del Ray.
Members of the West Point Class of 1959 gathered recently for a reunion in the DC area, making a special visit to pay their respects to their fallen classmate, Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Humbert “Rocky” Versace.
WAPF Meeting on Thyroid Function
Shep Saltzman’s topic for his Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) presentation May 19 was Thyroid Function but his bottom line was, “You can’t cookie cutter people. You have to get to know them because everyone is different and what works for one person doesn’t work for another. There are so many patterns; it takes finesse to figure it out. I am very thorough.”
Westfield Pyramid Art Show Highlights Students’ Work
Westfield High’s Pyramid Art Show was April 18.
Wednesday, May 15
School Board Hearing on Budget Poorly Attended
Why didn’t more people testify?
Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District representative) welcomed the six people who testified Tuesday evening, May 14, at the Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing on the budget. The time between the first speaker, Nancy Trainer, starting her testimony, and Arthur Purves, the sixth speaker, ending his testimony was approximately sixteen minutes.
Participate in Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 17
Join National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17 in the City of Alexandria. The free, annual event encourages the public to consider bicycle commuting as an affordable, fun and environmentally friendly way to get to work.
“Flourishing After 55”
55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Roads to Close at Arlington National Cemetery
Sheridan Drive will be closing beginning May 13 through Dec. 30 due to necessary construction. Detour signs mark road closures and alternate routes.
2024 Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award
Arlington County was recognized Friday, May 10 by the National Center for Safe Routes to School as the 2024 recipient of the Vision Zero for Youth U.S. Leadership Award.
Harmony for Hope Raises Funds for Ukrainian Children
From the mezzo soprano of Katelyn Neumann to the bass of Eduardo Castro, the walls of Rock Spring United Church of Christ (UCC) reverberate with the crescendos of the opera performers who have volunteered their talents for Harmony for Hope.
$1.65 Billion Budget Adopted
The Arlington County Board voted on Saturday, April 20, 2024, to adopt a $1.65 billion balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2025, a 6.4 percent increase over FY 2024.
Former FCIC Attorney Sentenced in Sexual Exploitation of Children
A former Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) attorney was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for conspiring to sexually exploit numerous children.
FAA Reauthorization Adds New Flights at DCA
U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) issued a statement today blasting the inclusion of a provision to add new flights at DCA in the FAA Reauthorization bill despite the House’s previous rejection of the same provision.
The Backward Budget Moves Forward
Breaking news from Richmond – the biennial state budget has been passed and signed into law.
Chamber Receives Report on General Assembly Activities
Roll for a casino in Fairfax County?
“It was a session with a lot of changes,” said State Senator Scott Surovell speaking to the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce at the annual General Assembly Report business breakfast.
StarKist Presents $10k to Miracle League
Charlie the Tuna on hand for MLA game.
Rainy skies didn’t dampen the spirits of the Miracle League of Alexandria as Charlie the Tuna and representatives of the StarKist Corporation presented a check for $10,000 to MLA board president Mac Slover May 4 at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center.
StarKist Presents $10k to Miracle League
Charlie the Tuna on hand for MLA game.
Rainy skies didn’t dampen the spirits of the Miracle League of Alexandria as Charlie the Tuna and representatives of the StarKist Corporation presented a check for $10,000 to MLA board president Mac Slover May 4 at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center.
National Nurses Week
Residents of Woodbine Rehabilitation and Health Center celebrate the nurses of Woodbine and Silverado Memory Care Center May 6 during National Nurses Week May 6-12
Centreville Preschoolers Release Ladybugs for Earth Day
Students at Chesterbrook Academy Preschool in Centreville celebrated Earth Day, April 22, by releasing more than 10,000 ladybugs throughout their schoolyard.
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
FCPS Students Awarded National Merit Scholarships
Tuesday, May 14
Community News at a Glance
Community News at a Glance
‘Addictive Cell Phone Usage’
Fairfax County School Board spurred to action on student cell phone use
Cell phones
Thursday, May 9
Stop for Pedestrians in Fairfax County Crosswalks
Supervisors adopt ordinance amending county code to stop, not just yield.
Yield
Wednesday, May 8
Never Forget
City remembers victims of the Holocaust.
The Holocaust was the genocide of six million Jews across Eastern Europe under the regime of Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler. On May 6, the City of Alexandria honored the memory of those victims during the 35th annual Days of Remembrance ceremony in Market Square.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Focusing on America's Mental Health Crisis
As May unfolds, our nation again turns its gaze towards an issue affecting every corner of American society – mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges millions of Americans face, the urgent need for action, and what we are doing here in the Commonwealth to address this crisis.
Tribute to the Fallen
Wreath laying honors fallen officers.
A tribute to Alexandria’s fallen law enforcement officers was held May 7 at Waterfront Park as the region prepares for National Police Week events May 12-18.
Friendship Firehouse Muster
Come out Saturday, May 18, in front of Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St., for a muster of over 15 antique firefighting apparatus in celebration of 250 of the Friendship Fire Company in Alexandria.
Children’s Nature Library to Reopen at River Farm
The American Horticultural Society will reopen the Children’s Nature Library and Reading Room at River Farm, headquarters of the AHS. This dynamic space for young readers, which closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, will once again offer an extraordinary collection of over 1,700 books focused on nature and gardening.
Native Plant Advocates Win Ellen Pickering Award
The native plant sale Scott Knudsen and Jennifer Pease started 21 years ago was April 27
The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award recognizes Alexandria community members who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment and preserving local natural resources.
Honoring Fairfax County Retiree Charles Smith
In January of 2024, Charles Smith retired as Watershed Project Implementation Branch Chief. In this role, he led a team responsible for designing, constructing, and monitoring water quality improvement projects.
County in a Pickle over Noisy Pickleball
Nearby courts will be converted to appease the pickleball players.
Pickleball
Wednesday, May 1
Seven Years Later, Still No Herndon Downtown Redevelopment
Comstock’s 2-year construction pause expired on April 30.
On April 24, a town spokesperson told The Connection that Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton would update the Town Council during its April 30 Work Session on how “the town and Comstock are working together to determine next steps.”
“Flourishing After 55”
55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.
Stamp Out Hunger
On the second Saturday of May, May 11, 2024, your local letter carriers will be collecting non-perishable food items to help those in need right here in Arlington.
What I'm Most Proud Of
Early consultation is a win-win for the Commonwealth, private developers and Tribal Nations, providing project predictability and efficiency by identifying and resolving potential sources of delay early in planning.
Oakton Alum Facing Up to Four Years Prison
Convicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter in crash in front of Oakton High.
Convicted
No Hold Comments by Chairman and Supervisors
Budget, lack of state funding; Animal Protection Police or Animal Control Officers?
Budget